Senator David Norris tells Patricia Weston of his keenness to exercise at his own pace despite the threat of a dodgy back
Do you take any regular exercise?
No, not since about six months to a year ago. I've been doing an enormous amount of travelling and this tends to break any routine. I have a small gym in the house with some weights and a nice parquet floor and a jacuzzi. I have arthritis and I put my back out so I haven't been doing any exercise in the gym. I'd be afraid to do anything too strenuous now but I'll have to walk and cycle and build up my fitness again.
Ever been a member of a gym?
Yes, I'm a member of Capel Street gym and used to go two to three days a week to do weights and stretching and have a sauna and shower afterwards. The companionship, gossip and ribbing is great there. Boxer Steve Collins uses that gym and a few old fogies like myself and some taxi drivers, they're a great bunch. I've every intention of going back but I have a bad back. The doctor said it's because I'm overweight, a bit like a pregnant woman. I'm 60 years of age.
Do you still travel around Dublin on your bike? I hope to get back cycling again but the surfaces in O'Connell Street are so uneven and the traffic is so careless, they don't even see cyclists. There are no cycle lanes and you'd be sure to have an accident with the uneven roads.
Have you always been an exerciser?
I've always exercised. I ran the marathon three times, but that was 10 years ago and my times were less than distinguished. I made the six-hour barrier and I didn't do much training for it, I just went for a waddle along Bull Island. I bought this great little book in Eason's for £1.50 a few years ago called Fully Fit in Fifty Minutes. I did 50 minutes of exercise Monday, Wednesday and Friday with warm-ups and cool downs. It was a very useful little book and I took it with me when I travelled and did the exercises on the floor in my hotel room. I also played rugby at school and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was a right wing. You wouldn't think it now in my advanced years and girth, but I was good and fast as a right wing and I'd plonk the ball in the goal post. Playing rugby is great. It's lovely on an autumn day, getting covered in mud and sweat then having a lovely hot shower. I also love to swim in the sea. I have a house in Cyprus and love swimming there.
Do you eat a balanced diet?
My diet is absolutely appalling, I'm greedy and I stuff myself to the astonishment of others, I can easily sit down to 14 courses! I will enjoy my food. It's difficult to be disciplined especially when you're on your own and have so many meetings and receptions to attend with meals involved. I admit I'm a glutton.
Patricia Weston recommends:
If you're having difficulty keeping track of what you eat, keep a food diary. Write down every meal, snack and drink each day. You'll soon see for yourself the changes you should be making to your diet.
"Aim to lose at least 1 to 2 lbs a week," advises Elmary Purtill, community dietician with the Midland Heath Board.
Begin exercising gently. If you are overweight or suffer from an injury, do a low impact activity like swimming or cycling.
Take up a gentle and relaxing activity such as yoga or pilates to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility.
pweston@irish-times.ie
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates instructor.